Classic Porsche: the 911 (993) - 1993-1998

Last of the M64 Engine.

The introduction of the model 993 marked the last of the model 911 versions powered by the air-cooled Porsche flat-six M64 engine. Every 993 produced was equipped with a derivative of the M64 engine, beginning with the standard 3.6L which pumped out 272 HP and carried the series through 1996 when the 285 HP VarioRam - equipped engine was utilized. There was also a more powerful 3.8L version available as standard in the Carrera RS and as a custom-order option in all other 993 variants. The 3.6L Turbo version was boosted by two turbos that hammered out 408HP and could be optioned up to 430HP or 450HP for the Turbo S and GT2 models.

The suspension upgrades for the model 993's were born from a four-door sedan project that never actually went into production. The new all-alloy multi-arm rear suspension improved cornering and reduced the all-too-familiar threat of oversteer which had been a long-standing, undesirable characteristic of the model 911. The standard six-speed manual transmission was introduced with the model 993 and further improvements and refinements included larger brakes with drilled discs, dual-flow exhaust and better power steering.

As with most Porsche 911 models, the list of model 993 variants is rather extensive. Following tradition, they were offered in coupe, convertible and Targa versions and buyers had the additional option of 2 or 4 wheel-drive. The Targa variant featured an all-new retractable glass roof that eliminated the inconvenience of having to store the removable tops available on previous models, but struggled with a complicated and unreliable retracting mechanism. Beyond the body style and drive trains, the model 993 could be optioned out with almost anything imaginable - including fax machines, dayglow upholstery and an endless palette of custom paint colors.

The model 993 Turbo coupe was introduced in 1995. It featured wider rear wheel arches, a fixed wing in the rear that housed the intercoolers and revised front and rear bumper moldings that were more aesthetically pleasing and more aerodynamic. The model 993 Turbo S was offered in 1997 as a high-spec model upgradable to 424HP for the American market and 450HP for the Europeans. Only 183 were built and they all featured slightly larger rear wings, air scoops behind the doors, 4-pipe exhausts, bright yellow calipers and carbon fiber interior accents.

The model 993 Carrera 4S and Carrera S were offered in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Both models were clad with the Turbo-look body and were much like the standard Carrera internally with a lower stance. The 4S, as it's designation denotes, was all-wheel drive and borrowed the larger brakes from the Turbo model along with the characteristic bright red calipers.

In 1995 and 1996, Porsche offered a 3.8L, 300HP, lightweight variant of the Carrera in the model Carrera RS. This version was outfitted with a stationary rear wing, front flaps and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The interior featured racing seats, basic Spartan door panels, no rear seats and minimal noise reduction effort. The model Carrera RS Clubsport, a further variant of the RS, was not very well suited for road-use. It featured a welded roll cage, a deeper chin spoiler and a larger rear wing - it practically begged for the race track. Neither the RS or the RS Clubsport were available for purchase in the US.

The 993 generation model GT2 was Porsche's twin turbo track star. Fifty-seven GT2's were built for the road to meet homologation requirements. Due to the rules passed by the racing sanctions, all-wheel drive cars were prohibited from competition, consequently the model GT2 was only available in a 2WD version. The first cars off the line were powered by a 3.6L twin turbo cranking out 430HP. During the last year of production, in 1998, the engine output was increased to 450HP.

The super-rare variants of the model 993 include two models that were never officially offered for sale. The Speedster, with a lower profile and custom interior, and the Turbo Cabriolet powered by a single-turbo 3.6L engine boasting 360HP. Two Speedsters were built by the factory, the first was a dark green model built in 1995 for Ferdinand Porsche himself in celebration of his 60th anniversary, and the second, a silver model that was originally delivered to actor Jerry Seinfeld as a Targa version and sent back to Porsche-Exclusive to be converted to a Speedster. A small number of Turbo Cabriolets were built by the factory in 1995 (less than 20) before the introduction of the Turbo coupe and could be purchased for 62% above the cost of a standard model 993 Cabriolet.

The combined total of sales of the 4 model 993 sub-series, the Carrera C2, Carrera C4, Turbo 3.6 and Carrera RS Coupe came to 68,029 cars. For you collectors out there, that's 68,029 opportunities to own a true classic who's discontinuation marked the end of the 34-year air-cooled Porsche era.

Newer classic 911's like the 1990's 993 series may seem too young to be considered classic - and in fact they are according to your typical insurance company. A proper classic insurance policy with a company familiar with a Porsche's special nature is especially important with these younger classics.